Mod'ing The CS Trail Hawk

Doh!
Quite the dilemma. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to settle for both. I can't see any way around it =/ unless...
Possibly neither and the Junglas instead!?
 
I've already got an itch to buy one but I can't. Sure they're cheap, but my wife would be mad—no...she would DESTROY ME if I bought another "frivolous thing I don't need" aka "sharp pointy object that makes me swoon". I'd be living in the woods. Literally. :(

Unless...anyone has a spare head they want to send me? :D
 
^ i can almost hear the bull whip snap from here

whats the point in working for a living if you cant enjoy the fruits of your labor ever now and then?
 
Drummer I understand. What I have done is find some things I can sell on Ebay and build a slush fund that way.
 
Bociphus said:
Doh!
Quite the dilemma. Unfortunately, you'll probably have to settle for both. I can't see any way around it =/ unless...
Possibly neither and the Junglas instead!?
Click to expand...

Well, you broke my resolve.
The RC6 shipped today from theknifeconnection.com
Wife unit will go batsh^t when she hears, as she only permitted me to get a HEST. But that, sir, I will order next, when the funds accumulate ;) and the bruises heal :o
 
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Has anyone thought of making multiple handles for different purposes? I did order one (God save me) and thought about making different size handles for different tasks such as a 40" handle just to see what it would be like, a 30" handle (for two handed use), a 24" handle (for greater one-handed reach) and a 10" handle (or shorter; All I need is a nub) for choking up on the head for finer work. Actually, I might make curved handles, reverse-curved handles, ornate handles...okay this is getting out of hand! :P

Every sapling in the woods behind my house is going to be cut down...

EDIT: I was also thinking about sharpening the spine into a convex (or beveled) edge on the first inch or two up from the bit (don't know if I should do bottom or top) so I could use it like an impromptu knife. What do you guys think?
 
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The first 2 I've modded, not as nice as any here, but I'm new to this and excited about more!
 
Drummertist said:
Has anyone thought of making multiple handles for different purposes? I did order one (God save me) and thought about making different size handles for different tasks such as a 40" handle just to see what it would be like, a 30" handle (for two handed use), a 24" handle (for greater one-handed reach) and a 10" handle (or shorter; All I need is a nub) for choking up on the head for finer work. Actually, I might make curved handles, reverse-curved handles, ornate handles...okay this is getting out of hand! :P

Every sapling in the woods behind my house is going to be cut down...

EDIT: I was also thinking about sharpening the spine into a convex (or beveled) edge on the first inch or two up from the bit (don't know if I should do bottom or top) so I could use it like an impromptu knife. What do you guys think?
Click to expand...

Multiple handles, makes sense to me. :thumbup: I like having an extra or two fitted and on hand for a quick fix, but never considered making some different lengths for different tasks and just swapping them out as needed. Not sure about the knife edge idea though, I'm tempted to say just use the main edge.
 
Blue Sky said:
Not sure about the knife edge idea though, I'm tempted to say just use the main edge.
Click to expand...

Here's my idea in a bit more detail:


Idea by Drummertist, on Flickr

Basically a bug head chin alteration and a Scandi edge for smaller work when it's off the handle and I'm holding it like a knife. Just an idea...mine hasn't even come in yet. I'm just pouring out ideas right now XD.
 
You could even put a finger groove or two, to prevent slippage &/or a nasty cut in the wilderness. I think it is a good idea. Makes it more versatile. A little multi-tool-ish ! LOL
 
Prophet118 said:
Yes. I reshaped mine.

S7301830.jpg
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WOW! Nice reshape I really like what you did to the hammer poll. I also love the chin you put on it...it's exactly what I wanted to do with mine.

The poll is really thin though; Do you fear it may snap off when hammering something?
 
UPS delivered mine today. I took the set screw out and it was an absolute pain to get the head off. It kept digging into the wood so it'll take some time to sand out the marring it caused.

This is gonna be a ton of fun to mod. I love the feel of the head in my hands...you can hold it in so many different ways. I'm planning on debarring the eye, stripping the paint off, smoothing the corners out, etching a native american bear paw on the cheek (it stands for a good omen or good luck) and putting a convex edge on it. I don't know what I want to do with the haft yet. Thanks guys for making me buy something I don't really need. :D

I'll post pictures soon for everyone to see. I didn't realize it would be so small so I'll post some pics comparing it to everyday items for those who want to know.
 
Okay...here's what I've done so far...



It marred the haft really bad...


It's really small, it can fit in the palm of your hand...


I was only able to get one pass on the paint stripper because the can I bought malfunctioned. I pressed it once and it stayed pressed in; I couldn't get it to stop. I pulled so hard the tip came off and it was spewing out. I had to throw the can out in the woods.


Luckily I was able to get most of the paint off (thanks to my thumb nail). There's still some in the eye but that's not a very big deal. DO NOT get that paint stripper on your hands...it burns. My head is nice; There are no big pits on it.


So I have it down to the bare essentials. I'll probably use vinegar to force a light patina and I bought PCB Etchant at radio shack. We'll see how that goes.


Something I found really cool was that the head could be thrown as easily as the complete tomahawk. Try it; take off the head and throw it...works great. I chopped with it today a little and even with the factory edge, it cut pretty well. I'll put a hair-splitting convex edge and we'll see how it does then. I drilled out the set screw hole so I could maybe put some 550 through it and hang it on the outside of my pack when I only want to carry the head. More pics soon.

EDIT:
MORE PICS ARE HERE!

I convexed the edge and sharpened it on a diamond stone...


This is my first try at making a handle with only the head. Definitely much (much) harder than on iawoodsman's video. I'd call it a 15" handle...so it's not very long but it feels good in the hand. I'll probably get out my carving knife and do some really nice handles in different sizes.


COMING SOON: I plan on doing the etching next. I've decided on a native american thunderbird since it stays true to the heritage of the tomahawk. After that I'll do the patina in vinegar. This thing gets more and more fun to mess with every second. It's a really beautiful tool once you get the paint off and start customizing it.
 
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Drummertist said:
WOW! Nice reshape I really like what you did to the hammer poll. I also love the chin you put on it...it's exactly what I wanted to do with mine.

The poll is really thin though; Do you fear it may snap off when hammering something?
Click to expand...

Yeah it is a little thin, but I believe there is still enough material there. I don't plan on using it in the field. It is more of a weapon, now, than a tool.
 
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